check oil DODGE DURANGO 2008 2.G User Guide

Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Windshield and Rear Window Washers
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment, be sure to check the
fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with
windshield washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze).
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take some
washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or towel and wipe
clean the wiper blades, this will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon of fluid
when the Low Washer Fluid Light illuminates.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator
is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser and
radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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Emission Related Components
Fuel System Hoses And Vapor/Vacuum Harnesses
When the vehicle is serviced for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be given to examining hose surfaces
nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust mani-
fold.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
NOTE:Fluids such as oil, power steering fluid, and
brake fluid are used during assembly plant operations to
ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. Therefore, oil
wetness at the hose-coupling area is not necessarily anindication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot fluid when
systems are under pressure (during vehicle operation),
should be noted before hose is replaced based on leakage.
You are urged to use only the manufacturer's specified
hoses and clamps, or their equivalent in material and
specification, in any fuel system servicing. It is manda-
tory to replace all clamps that have been loosened or
removed during service. Care should be taken in install-
ing new clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve
Proper operation of the crankcase ventilation system
requires that the PCV valve be free of sticking or plug-
ging because of deposits. Deposits can accumulate in the
PCV valve and passage with increasing mileage. Have
the PCV valve, hoses, and passages checked for proper
operation at the intervals specified. If the valve is
plugged or sticking, replace with a new valve ±Do not
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
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attempt to clean the PCV valve!Check ventilating hose
for indication of damage or plugging with deposits.
Replace if necessary.
Brake System
Power Disc Brakes (Front and Rear)
Disc brakes do not require adjustment; however, several
hard stops during the break-in period are recommended
to seat the linings and wear off any foreign material.
Brake Master Cylinders
The fluid level in the master cylinders should be checked
whenever the vehicle is serviced, or immediately if the
brake system warning light is on. If necessary, add fluid
to bring level to the full mark on the side of the reservoir
of the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of
the master cylinder area before removing the cap. With
disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
pads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when
pads are replaced. If the brake fluid level is abnormally
low, check system for leaks.Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified, as to specifications
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching on fire.
410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

least 15 miles (24 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (Park).
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the ªHOTº(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two (2) minutes for the oil to fully drain
into the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmissionbelow
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two ªCOLDº (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70ÉF ( 21ÉC) (room
temperature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the ªHOTº
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180ÉF ( 82ÉC). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the stepsdescribed under ªOil Change Requiredº in ªSystem
Status (EVIC Displays)º of the EVIC section in this
manual or under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº in the
ªInstrument Cluster Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 445
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Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
²Check the Manual Transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
NOTE:** Vehicles built with the 4.7L engine are
equipped with sixteen spark plugs, one set is located on
the top of the engine under the coils and the second set is
located on the side of the engine.
The spark plugs located under the coils are a standard
plug and must be change every 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
The spark plugs located on the side of the engine are a
premium plug and must be changed every 102,000 miles
(170 000 km).
446 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Oil ...........................391,439,440
Oil Filler Cap.................384,385,386,393
Oil Selection.......................393,439
Oil Synthetic......................... 394
Starting............................. 273
Temperature Gauge..................... 193
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 364
Event Data Recorder...................... 62
Exhaust Gas Caution..............39,75,336,403
Exhaust System.......................75,402
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 52
Exterior Lighting........................ 140
Fabric Care............................ 417
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 395
Engine Fuel.......................... 396
Engine Oil........................394,440Engine Oil Disposal.................... 394
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 366
Turn Signal.....................142,193,432
Flat Tire Stowage.....................368,374
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 342
Engine Oil........................... 341
Fuel Requirements..................339,340
Maintenance.......................... 342
Replacement Parts..................... 342
Starting............................. 341
Flooded Engine Starting................... 274
Floor Console.......................181,182
Fluid, Brake.........................410,441
Fluid Capacities......................... 439
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 411
Brake............................... 410
INDEX 467
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Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 68
Lubrication, Body....................... 401
Lug Nuts............................. 373
Luggage Carrier......................... 183
Lumbar Support........................ 116
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 397
Maintenance Procedures................... 391
Maintenance Schedule.................... 444
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 201,388
Manual, Service......................... 457
Manual Transmission
Lubricant Selection..................... 441
Map/Reading Lights..................158,159
Memory Seat........................... 131
Mirrors................................ 83
Automatic Dimming...................83,87
Electric Powered....................... 85Heated.............................. 87
Memory............................. 131
Outside.............................. 84
Rearview............................. 83
Vanity............................... 86
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 325
Mopar Parts.........................390,455
MP3 Player.........................206,236
Multi-Displacement Engine System........... 304
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 142
Navigation Radio........................ 236
Navigation System....................156,236
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 74
Occupant Restraints....................... 39
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 332
Oil Change Indicator..................162,197
472 INDEX

Recreational Towing...................... 360
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 361
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 363
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 333
Refrigerant............................ 400
Release, Hood.......................... 135
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 50
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 249
Remote Starting System.................... 27
Replacement Keys........................ 15
Replacement Parts....................... 390
Replacement Tires....................... 320
Reporting Safety Defects................... 456
Resetting Oil Change Indicator...........162,197
Restraints, Child.......................64,70
Restraints, Occupant...................... 39
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 377
Roll Over Warning........................ 4Roof Type Carrier....................... 183
Rotation, Tires.......................... 324
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 76
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 77
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 456
Safety, Exhaust Gas....................... 39
Safety Information, Tire................... 305
Safety Tips............................. 75
Satellite Radio...............206,207,236,237,244
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 248
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 444
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 419
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 50
Seat Belts..........................39,40,76
And Pregnant Women................... 52
Child Restraint.......................64,65
Extender............................. 52
Front Seat............................ 40
INDEX 475
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